Box partition forming and inserting machine



Dec. 30, 1952 J. B. THAXTON 2,623,442

BOX PARTITION F'ORMING AND INSERTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 21, 1949 6Sheets-Sheet l d' INVENTOR.

JAMES e. THAx'roN .8 55 FIC-3.2 l QMW Dec. 30, 1952 J. B. THAxToN2,523,442

BOX PARTITION FORMING AND INSERTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 2l, 1949 6Sheets-Sheet 2 T- H1 L l q` 44 I I n 'Qf?, 1, f 'm if# 1 M l 77 5/` 1 n1 H9@ |17 82 ||8\ 85 il 52 I6 122 86, .24 54 ii 0o lza I' 55 l M11 V 55J M N1 y VM VH M* MVM-y 57 '/w i Ulf: @mi u I Mlm A 1 i L IN1/EN TOR.JAMES B. 'VHAXTON J. B. THAXTON Dec. 30, 1952 BOX PARTITION FORMING ANDINSERTING MACHINE Filed 0G13. 2l, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. IJAMES B. THAXTON Y J. B. THAXTON Dec. 30, 1952 BOX PARTITION FORMING ANDINSERTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 2l, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec. 30, 1952 J.B. THAxToN 2,523,442

BOX PARTITION FORMING AND INSERTING MACHINE Filed oct. 21, 1949 esheets-sheet 5 34 F I G. IO

,4mm/Vf Amy/mf mm S F ffm/m5 wrm/50mm mu e ,f1 26 /lze 06000O O00006000O o000 0 0 0 0 0 06000O c)000 0 0 0 0 0 0 O 0 000 GQ 9 O INVENTOR.JAMES B. THAxToN BY/ v//` I/ 4 @WM/W@ FIG. l5 2 MQW@ Dec. 30, 1952 J. B.THAxToN BOX PARTITION FORMING AND INSERTING MACHINE Filed oct. 21, 19496 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. JAMES B.THAxToN Patented Dec. 30, 1952 BOXPARTITION FORMING AND INSERTING MACHINE James B. Thaxton, Indianapolis,Ind., assignor to Paper Package Company, Indianapolis, Ind., acorporation of Indiana Application October 21, 1949, Serial No. 122,797

This invention relates to machines for partitioning boxes or the like,and more particularly to a machine for forming and inserting the formedpartitions in boxes.

It is an object of the invention to provide a machine which removespartitions, one by one, from a supply source, forms the removedpartition into that shape in which it is to be applied within a box orthe like, applies adhesive to selective portions of the partition andinserts the formed, adhesive-coated partition in said box or the like.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a machine of thischaracter which is of relatively simple design and construction wherebybox partitions may be preformed and inserted eiiiciently and uniformlywithin their respective boxes in rapid succession and without requiringany particularly skilled supervision.

With these and incidental objects in view, the invention comprisescertain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, theessential elements of which are set forth in appended claims, and a`preferred embodiment of which is hereinafter described with reference tothe drawings which accompany and form part of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a left side elevation of the machine with the conventional orstandard construction shown in lightweight line and the new mechanismshown in heavier weight line,

Fig. 2 is a detailed enlarged elevation, partly in section, of certainvalve mechanism shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the machine with conventionalparts shown in phantom and the new mechanism shown in full line,

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating the sequence ofoperations of the machine at various operation performing stations,

Fig. 5 is an enlarged elevation, partly in sec- Jtion, showing the upperleft portion of the machine with the forming head in position to piel:`up a partition,

Fig. 6 is a perspective of the mechanism shown in Fig. 5 with theforming head shown advanced to the forming station,

Fig. '7 is a detailed front elevation taken substantially along the lineT--l of Fig. 6 and showing the position of the forming head in itspreliminary forming position at the forming station,

Fig. 8 is a detailed sectional elevation taken along the line 8--3 ofFig. 7,

Fig. 9 is a detailed sectional elevational taken along the line -i9 ofFig. '7,

Fig. l0 is an enlarged left side elevation, partly in section, of theupper, forward portion of the machine showing the forming head .at the10 Claims. (Cl. S33-37) end o'f its forming stroke at the formingstation and the partition depositing head inserting' a just previouslyformed partition within a box.

Fig. 1l is a detailed front elevation of the depositing head takensubstantially along vthe line li-Il of Fig. 10,

Fig. 12 is a bottom plan view of the depositing head taken along theline |2|2 of Fig. 11,

Fig. 13 is a fragmental perspective view of the depositing head, aforward corner thereof being broken away for clearness of illustration,

Fig. 14 is a top plan view of the box feeding mechanism takensubstantially along the line lll-I4 of Fig. 1, certain parts beingomitted for clearness,

Fig. 15 is a front elevation of said box feeding mechanism, and

Fig. 16 is a detailed View showing a modified form of certain hoseconnections.

It is believed that a preliminary, comprehensive explanation of thesuccessive steps in the machines function will facilitate and expeditean understanding of the various machine sections and their c'o-operationin carrying out the objectives of the invention. Toward this end,reference is now made to Fig. 4 wherein 'the successive operations ofthe machine are diagrammatically illustrated.

Fig. 4 shows a stack S of box partitions l0 having conventional scorelines Il along which the partitions are to be folded. The particularpartitions l0 (shown herein for illustration purposes only) are such asmay be used in receptacles for containing hypodermic syringes, ampoules,vials, or the like,l there being provided cut-out portions l2 which,when the partitions are formed as shown in the drawings, providerecesses for embracing the articles to hold them securely in xedposition in the box. Such partitions are known in the packaging art asreversible partitions. In operation, the machine picks up the terminalpartition from thetop of stack S at the rear of the machine and movesthe partition forv'vardly to a forming station F, where the partitionisformed finto the shape necessary for it to serve its intended purpose,and insertion into the box or other receptacle I3. From the formingstation F the partition is moved forwardly of the machine past anadhesive applying station A, where a roller I4 applies adhesive topresented portions of the undersurface of the partition while it is intransit to ward box I3. Following its pasage over adhesive'applying-roller I4, the partition is in'- serted within box -I'3 at aninserting station For the purpose of illustrating and describing thenovel features thereof, the partition forming and depositing mechanismis hereinlshown as installed in a labeling machine such as is disclosedin United States Patent No. 2,227,816 issued to G. W. von Hofe onJanuary 7, 1941. It is to be understood however, that while thislabeling machine is `of a ltype for which the box partition forming anddepositing mechanism is especially designed, this is in no senseintended to restrict the field of usefulness of said mechanism and thatthe latter may be readily adapted for eicient combination with othertypes of labeling or similar machines.

Referring to Fig. 1, the illustrated machine comprises a supportingframe I 5 on which a suitable hopper IG is supported in any convenientmanner. Hopper I6 is arranged to contain a supply of partitions I Il inthe form of a stack S resting upon the bottom I1 of said hopper I6 asillustrated in Fig. 1.A As is customary in labeling machines of the typeshown, the bottom I1 is vertically movable upwardly at intervalsdetermined by the progressively diminishing height of the stack due tothe removal of successive partitions I therefrom. The purpose of theafore- -said upward movement of the bottom I 1 is to periodicallyrestore the upper end of the stack of partitions III to a predeterminedlevel. The means for progressively elevating the stack S, may be such asare shown in the aforementioned von Hofe Paten-t No. 2,227,816, or maybe of any form suitable to accomplish periodic, incremental upwardmovement of the stack. llt is also noted that hopper I6 is mountedfurther rearwardly of the machine frame I than is thelabel supply hopperdisclosed in the aforementioned von I-Iofe Patent No. 2,227,816, aforming station F oc-cupying substantially the same position in thepresent machine as was occupied by the label containing hopper of themachine ldisclosed in the von Hofe patent.

The formed partitions are adapted to be removed successively from theforming station F and transferred forwardly of the machine past anadhesive applying station A into position at an inserting station I. Thepartition transferring means is of the suction operated type, andincludes a carriage I8 slidably mounted upon a horizontal guide rail I9secured upon the frame I5 in any convenient manner. Carriage I8 isarranged to be slid-ably reciprocated on rail I9 in any well-known wayand in proper synchronism with the other parts of the machine, as forinstance by means of an arm 20 (see also Fig. 5) xed upon a shaft 2|suitably journaled on frame I5. The free end of -arm 20 is pivotallyconnected as at 22 with a coupling rod 23 which in turn is pivotally andyieldingly connected as at 24 to carriage I8.

The mechanism whereby shaft 2I is rocked on its axis to swing Varm 20and thereby effect the reciprocation of carriage I8 on rail I9 may besuch as is clearly shown in Fig. 1 herein. The operation of thismechanism is fully disclosed in von I-Io-fe Patent No. 2,227,816.

Carriage I8 supports a member 25 capable of vertical reciprocationthereon and provided` at its lower end with a partition-inserting,suction head 26 later to be described in detail. A suction hose 21connects head 26 with a control valve 23 from which there extends anadditional hose 29 connecting the valve with a suitable source ofsuction. The operation of valve 28 and the hose connections 21 and 29just described are similar to and operate in the same manner as thecounterpart valve and hose connections disclosed in the aforementionedvon H-ofe patent.

Member 25 is vertically movable on carriage I8 at one end of thereciprocation thereof 'to pick up 4 a formed partition I0 from theforming station F and, at the other terminal of said reciprocation toinsert the picked up partition within a box I3 or other receptacle atinserting station I. During the movement of carriage I8 from the formingstation F to inserting station I, member 25 is held against downwardmovement in carriage I6 by means of a roller 32 which travels along afixed rail 33 recessed at proper points to permit the desired downwardmovement of the member 25 and with it the depositing head 26. Anysuitable mechanism may be provided for operating member 25 and head 26in vertical directions, such as for instance the mechanism hereinillustrated in Fig. 1, the operation of which is described in detail inthe von Hofe Patent No. 2,227,816.

In the instant machine the partitions successively picked up bydepositing head 26 at the yforming station F are provided with Iacoating of adhesive on portions of their lower surfaces during thetransfer of said partitions from forming sta-tion F t-o insertingstation I. For the purpose of applying said coatingto successivepartitions I6, the machine includes adhesive applying means consistingfor instance, of the aforementioned adhesive applying roller I4 suitablymounted in the machine in tangential receiving relation to a suitablymounted adhesive distributing roller 34 (rollers I4 and 34 being alsodesignated by legend in Fig. 10) which dips into a supply of adhesive ina container 35 fixed to the machine frame. The applying roll I4 is solocated that a partition III carried by depositing head 26 will passinto progressive tangential engagement with said roll I4 during thetravel from forming station F to inserting station I, the arrangementbeing such that during the return stroke of carriage I8, depositing head26 is elevated and thus passes over and above said applying roll I4 andaccordingly will not engage the same.

Adjustable stops such as 36 (Figs. 1 and 10) similar to a stop 66 shownin enlarged scale in Fig. 9 and adjustable in the same manner as saidstop 66 are aixed on the machine frame adjacent guide rail I 9. Stops 36limit the eX- tent of fore and aft movement of carriage I 8 and thusvertically align head 26 with a box I3 at inserting station I at the endof the forward stroke of carriage I8 and with a partition I0 at formingstation F at the end of the rearward stroke of the carriage.

The mechanism for picking up partitions IQ from hopper I6 andtransferring them to and forming themV at forming station F will now bedescribed. Referring to Figs. 1 and 6, this mechanism comprises acarriage 31 mounted for sliding movement fore and aft of the machineupon a horizontal guide rail 36 secured as by screws 39 to a horizontalprojecting arm 49 formed integrally with a vertically disposed slidingmember 4I. An upstanding arm 42 provided on carriage 31 is pivotally andyieldingly connected as at 43 with a coupling rod 44., which in turn ispivotally connected as at 45 to the rock arm 26. Hence, as arm 20 rocksto and fro as previously described, carriage 31 is reciprocatedforwardly and rearwardly along guide rail 38. Carriage 31, rail 38, andmember 4I are arranged to be raised and lowered as a lunit by means of acam 46 secured to one end of a horizontally disposed stub shaft 41journaled in a bracket 48 dependingly supported from a horizontallydisposed bar 49 xed to the machine frame.

Referring to Fig. 3, the outer end of shaft 41 has affixed thereon asprocket 56 meshing with a driven chain 5I which passes around asprocket 52 aflixed on a horizontally disposed shaft 53 suitablyjournaled on the machine frame. The opposite end of shaft 53 has affixedthereon a sprocket l54 around which passes a drive chain 55 which alsopasses around a sprocket 56 secured on the main drive shaft 51 of themachine. In this manner shaft 41 is continuously driven in rotationwhile the machine is operating and thus imparts rotative movement to cam46. A cam roller 58 aflixed adjacent to the lower end of member 4Iengages the periphery of cam 46, and due to the configuration of thelatter as shown in Fig. 6, rotation thereof alternately raises andlowers members 4|, rail 38, and carriage 31, member 4l being guided forvertical movement in ways 59 formed on bracket 48.

The forward end of carriage 8l is provided with .a forming head 64 (Fig.'1) of the suction operated type and, by the mechanism just described,Vcarriage 31 with its forming head 64 is moved fore and aft of themachine synchronously with the fore and aft movements of carriage I8.and its inserting head 26. The raising and lowering of rail 38 andcarriage 64 by cam 46 is so timed that forming head 6d is lowered intopick-up position with respect to the terminal partition of the stack Sat the same time that inserting head 26 is picking up a formed partitionID from forming station F. Similarly, forming head 64 is raised by cam46, moved forward by carriage 31, and then lowered by cam 46synchronously with the corresponding movements of inserting head 26, sothat forming head 64 Will place a partition I3 into forming position atforming station F concurrently with the deposition by inserting head 26of a previously formed partition within a box I3.

An adjustable stop 65 (adjustable in the same manner as a stop 66 shownin detail in Fig. 9) afl'ixed to rail 38 adjacent its rear end (Fig. 5)serves to limit the extent of rearward movement of carriage 31 and toarrest the carriage in such position that forming head 64 is inalignment with partitions I9 of stack S at the end cf the rearwardstroke of carriage 31. Similarly, an adjustable stop 66 (Fig. 9) securedas by a screw 61 to the forward end of rail 38 serves to arrest carriage31 and forming head 64 in precise vertical alignment at forming stationF at the end of the forward stroke of carriage 31.

Forming head 64 is provided with bevelled side walls 68 (Fig. '1) thatare arranged to enter between correspondingly angled side walls 69 ofupstanding inverted V-shaped projections i2 formed on a bed plate 13,suitably secured in the machine frame. There is provided just sufficientclearance between the surfaces of forming head 64 and the upper surfacesof bed plate 13 and side walls 69 of projections 12 to accommodate thethickness of a partition I9 when head 64 is moved into its lowermostforming position with respect to bed plate it as shown in Fig. '1. Thelower face of forming head 64 is provided with a series of relativelysmall apertures 14 entering into a chamber 14a provided internally ofthe head, said chamber communieating with a nipple 15 secured to head 64as shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

A suction hose 16 (Fig. 3) attached to nipple 15 connects head 64 withacontrol valve 11 (best shown in Fig. 2) from which extends an additionalhose 18 connecting the valve with a suitable source of suction. Valve 11is suitably secured to frame l5 as shown in Fig. 2 and includes aspring-pressed plunger 19 slidably mounted therein. The outer end ofplunger 19, under the compression of its spring, bears against an arm 82fulcrumed as at 83 to an outwardly projecting bracket 84 secured to themachine frame. The lower end of arm 82 has mounted thereon a roller 85which, under the compression of the plunger spring, bears against a cam86 aixed to shaft 53 (see also Fig. 3). In the position shown 'in Fig.2, valve 11 :is open, i. e., suction is supplied to head 64 by `virtueof hose line 18 being permitted to communicate with the suction headline 16 as shown in this figure. Rotation of cam 86 controls the openingand closing of valve 11 in such timed relation with the movement of head64 that when the latter is in contact with a terminal partition of stackS, suction is present within head 64 to pick up said terminal partition.The suction is maintained during the travel of the head upwardly,forwardly, and then downwardly into forming position at forming stationF, whereupon at approximately the completion. of the downward movement,the suction is shut off by virtue of `cam 86 having rotated a distancesufficient to `cause arm 82 to move plunger 19 into a position wherevalve 11 is closed, i. e., a position where hose line 18 is blocked fromcommunication with head line 16 and the latter is simultaneously placedin communication with atmosphere by means of a port 11a provided invalve 11 to thereby release said terminal partition. The suction remainsshut oif in head 64 during its return stroke to stack `.'5'. and untilsuch time as head 64 is moved downwardly into contact with the nextterminal partition of stack S, whereupon valve 11 is again actuated toopen the suction line to the head and simultaneously close port 11a.

It will be understood that the control valve just described is forillustrative purposes only and may be any one of several types of valvessuitable to accomplish the described purpose.

For instance, the control valve could be of the same type as valve 28associated with partition inserting head 26 and disclosed in theaforementioned von Hofe patent. Moreover, if desired, hose 16 may,instead of being connected to independent valve 11, be connected alongwith hose 21 to valve 28 by means of a T connection 398 as shown in Fig.16 so that valve 23 would control the suction flow in both the insertinghead 26 and the forming head B4.

Referring to Fig. '1, it is seen that as: formingY head 64 movesdownwardly into forming position between projections 12 of plate 13, thecentral portion only of a partition I8 is thrust downwardly between theprojections, thus only such portion of the partition is depressed intothe space between theinverted V-shaped projections 12 and against theirside walls 68 as clearly shown in this ligure. This leaves the two outerends 81 of partition I9 extending in a horizontal plane in parallelspaced. relation from the upper surfaces of bed plate 13 as shown infull lines in Fig. 7 and remaining to be formed. The mechanism fordepressing these ends downwardly about the outer angular sides 91 ofprojections 12 to the dotted line position shown in Fig. '1 to completethe forming of the partition will now be described.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6 a horizontally disposed shaft 88 is journaledin an upstanding bearing SQ provided on the rear end of vcarriage 37.lAdjacent the opposite ends of bearing 89 there are xe'd to shaft 83 apair of forwardly extending arm 92 pivotally connected at their forwardendsV as at-93 to the upper ends of a pair of vertically disposed,slidably mounted, forming members 9d. Members 94 are guided for verticalmovement in ways 95 -formed on the forward end of carriage 37. The lowerends of members 94 are bevelled as at 95 (Fig. 7) to correspond with theouter, angular sides 97 of projections 72. Springs such as 98 connectedat their lower ends to members Sil and at their upp-er ends to ways 95normally urge members ed and their associated arms 92 upwardly into theposition shown in Fig. 5. The inner end f shaft 88 (Fig. 6) has affixedthereto a forwardly and slightly upwardly projecting lever S9 which,when carriage 37 is in its forward or forming position, is arranged toengage an inwardly projecting stud |02 secured on one arm HB3 of a bellcrank |64 pivoted as at |05 to the rear end of bar 4S. The opposite,depending arm itt of bell crank |64 has formed on its lower end a node|67 arranged to be engaged by an outwardly projecting stud I |18 securedon one side of cam d. Upon engagement of node |07 by stud M33, bellcrank |i|4 moves clockwise (as viewed in Fig. 6) about pivot |85 anamount suiiicient to cause stud |02 to depress lever S9 which, in turn,rocks shaft 88 to move arms 92 downwardly, whereby members 94 are thrustdownwardly to that position shown in full lines in Fig. 6 and also shownin dotted lines in Fig. 7. Downward movement of members 94 causes theirbottoms to engage ends 87 of the partition ||l and press samedownwardly, thus completing the forming of the partition. The engagementof node |537 by stud |336 to impart the downward thrust of members asjust described, occurs substantially concurrently with or slightly afterforming head @d reaches its lowermost position between projections 72 asshown in Fig. 7.

The formed partition IE! is held in formed position upon bed plate 73 bysuction means now to be described. A series of tubes |555 (Figs. 7, 8and 9) extend upwardly through bed plate 73 in vertical alignment withhead @d when the latter occupies its forward or forming position shownin Figs. 6' and 10, the tubes being disposed adjacent the oppositelyinclined sides di) and 97 of projections 72. The upper ends of the tubesterminate flush with theupper surface of plate 73 and their lower endsare connected by separate flexible tubes 2 to a common suction hose I3(Fig. 3) extending upwardly from a control valve lill, similar to andmounted adjacent valve 77 on the machine frame. An additional hose Hconnects valve |14 with a suitable source of suction.

Referring arm IIS similar to arm 82 has its upper end engaging a plunger`||7 of vvalve l ifi. Arm H6 is likewise fulcrumed intermediate its endsas at ||8 to an outwardly projecting bracket il@ Isecured to the machineframe. The lower end of arm H6 has mounted thereon a roller |22 which,under the compression of a spring (not shown, but similar to the springshown in association with'plunger 79 of valve 77) associated with thevalve plunger H7, bears/against a cam |23 fixed to shaft 53 adjacent camd'6. The valve mechanism just described functions in the sameA manner asthe valve mechanisms 77, 79, d2, 35 and 86 associated with forming headSli, cam |23- to Figs. 1 and 3, it is seen that anl being arranged toactuate valve M during rotation of shaft 53 so that suction is turned onin bed plate 73 just prior to the descent'of forming head 64 intoforming engagement therewith as shown in Fig. 7. Suction remains on inbed plate 73 to hold the formed partition in formed position flat agaistthe plate until such time as the inserting suction head 26 is loweredinto engagement therewith, whereupon as the suction is turned on in head26 by valve 28, the suction is turned off in plate 73 by Valve lili.

Referring to Figs. 11, 12 and 13, the partitioninserting head 26comprises a rectangularly shaped block as clearly shown in Fig. 13, theblock being of such size and shape as to t with just sliding clearancewithin the particular box i3 or other receptacle in which a partition Itis to be inserted. The lower surface of head 2d is provided with aseries of apertures |2d communicating with a chamber formed interiorlyof the head. As previously described, hose 27 connects chamber |25 withsuction control valve 23. Inverted V-shaped recesses |2 extending inparallel spaced relation from the front to the rear are provided in theunder surface of the head to permit the latter to raccommodate thecorresponding upstanding, inverted V-shaped projections 72 of bed plate73. Consequently, when head 2t is moved to forming station F and moveddownwardly to pick up a formed partition I@ from bed plate 73, the undersurfaces of the head lie in intimate contact with all portions of theupper surfaces of the partition iii.

The mechanism for feeding boxes i3 or other receptacles to insertingstation I and for registerthe boxes in proper position with respect toinserting head 25 at this station will now be described.

Referring to Figs. l, 14 and 15, the boxes are placed, one by one, inthe right-hand end of a channel indicated generally at |27. Channel |27is formed with a bottom |28 and two upstanding sides |29 of a heightcorresponding to the height of boxes I3, the width between upstandingsides |29 likewise corresponding substantially with the width of boxesI3. A bell crank indicated generally at |32 and pivoted at |33 to abracket |34 secured to the machine frame has an upstanding arm |35formed at its upper end with a pusher blade 36 extending into the spacebetween side walls |29 `and bottom |23 of channel |27. The opposite arm|37 of bell crank |32 is pivoted at ld to a depending link |39, thelower end of which is pivoted as at 55:2 (Fig. 1) to a relatively shortlink |63 fixed to the righthand end of a horizontally disposed shaft|44, suitably journaled at the front of the machine on frame l5. Theleft end-of shaft hid has fixed thereon an inwardly projecting arm H55,the' innermost end of which lies in the path of an angle plate |46secured to one side of a cam disk |157 secured for rotation with themain drive shaft 57 of the machine. A spring ille (Figs. 14 and 15)connected at one end adjacent the upper end of arm |35 and at itsopposite end to a lug |59 of a bracket |52 fixed to the under side ofchannel |27, tensions bell crank |32 to the position shown in full linesin Fig. 15, that is, with pushing blade |35 in its extreme right-handposition as viewed in this figure. At appropriate times in the machinecycle, angle plate |46 engages arm and cams it upwardly. Upward movementof arm |45 rocks shaft |134 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. land, through links |43 and |39, swings bell crank |32 in acounterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 15) about its pivot |33against the tensionof spring |48, from the position shown in fullv linesto the position shown in dotted lines therein. `Such an extent ofmovement of pusher blade |36 is sufficient to advance a previouslyinserted box |3 into engagement with another previously inserted box |3lying within channel |21 and to advance the latter into position againsta box registering stop |53 which serves to position the box in precise,vertical alignment with head 26 as clearly shown in Fig. 1.5. As soon asangle plate |46 has passed beyond the forward end of arm m the parts|36r |39, etc., are restored to their normal positions under the tensionof spring |48.

Stop |53 is secured to an arm |54 pivoted as at |55 to the machineframe. As clearly shown in Fig. 14, in its normal position stop |53,projects inwardly through a slot-v |56 provided in the forward side |25`oi channel |21 and` extends into the path of'travel of boxes I3` withinthe channel. It is here noted that the rear wall` |29 of channel |21 iscut away at that point lying directly opposite stop |53 and thatadjacent this point the rear wall |25 of the channel vformed angularlyas at |51 providing a spacel |66 inthe channel that is wider than thenormal width thereof for a purpose to be later described. The free endof arm |54 is pivoted at |58 to one end of a link |59, which linli hasitsopposite end pivoted as at |62 to the upper end of an arm |63. Thelower end of arm |63 is fixed to a horizontally disposed shaft |64suitabl7 jQurna-led on the machine frame I5. The outer left end of shaft|64 has fixed thereto an inwardly projecting arm |65 which carries onits innermost end a cam roller |65. A spring |61 connected to arm |63and anchored at its opposite ,endl to the machine frame normallytensions `stop |53, through the connections just described, to itsinnermost or box-engaging position shown in Figs. 1 and 14, and alsomaintains roller |56 in contact with the periphery of disk |41. It willbe understood that cam disk |41V is a standard component of` labelingmachines of the type disclosed in the aforementioned von Hofe patent.However, a cam |66 peculiar to the present machinefis secured to camdisk` |41 as byscrews |63, said cam :being arranged to engage' roller|56 during the rotation of disk |41 by shaft 51. At appropriate times inthe machine' cycle, cam |63 engages roller` 1&5 and, by means of arms.|65 and |63, link les and arm |54', removes stop |53 from the path ofmovement of boxes |3, Ain channel |21. The timingl is such that stop`|53` is -withdrawn from the path of the boxes immediately following theinserting of a partition I6 in the box, whereupon pusher `blade |36 isoperated to advance the next adjacent box |3 into inserting position.Thesaid next adjacent box |3 will follow the box |3 in which a partitionhas just been inserted toward the left as viewed in Fig. 14, andconcurrently with this'b'ox reaching a position where its rear end liesopposite slot |56, stop- |53 is released by Acam .|658 and restored toits inner or effectiveA box-stopping Aposition under the tension ofVspring |61.. Incident to the restorationof stop l|53 vas .justdescribeditengages the rear end of the box|3 -which was-just ad'- vanced frombeneathhead 2.6 andLpushes-it askew into the space |60 toward theangularly disposed upstanding wall of channel |21 as clearly shown inFig. 14, and arrests the movement of the next adjacent box |31. A flatleaf spring |12 aiiixed to the inner surface offwall |51 yieldinglypresses the forward enduof the removed box against the forwardwall |216of the channel |21, in the manner shown in Fig. 14g. By this spring |12the boxes are restrained from sudden ejecting movement to the left inchannel |21. From the channel the boxes may be fed into any suitablecontainer (not shown). f

It will be understood of course, that the movements of pusher blade |36and stop |53 just described are synchronized with each other and withthe movements of inserting head 26 so that partitions Il) are, rapidsuccession, inserted in the boxes i3, as the latter are rapidly,synchronouslyf'and' successively advanced to inserting station If.

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirablyadapted` to fuliill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understoodthat it is not .intended to corinne the invention to the one form oi`embodiment herein disclosed, for it is susceptible of embodiment in"various forms all coming within the Iscope of the claims which follow.i

I claim:

1. In a machine for forming and inserting partitions in boxes, a supplystack of box partitions, Va suction type forming head, a forming plateassociated therewith, a suction` type inserting head, meansfor advancingand registering boxes in Aalignmentwith said inserting head, means forsynchronously reciprocating said heads respectively between said supplystack and said formilif-f:` plate andthe latter and said box resVmistering means, valve mec anism connected to a source of suction andassociated with said heads and ,Said forming Platani@ valve ,mechanismbeing operable to control the suction applied to said partitions by saidheadsV and said plate whereby the lrzartitions are removed successivelyfrom said` supply Statik.- by said Vforming head t0 Said forming Plaiean@ formed and held formed' ihtreet; thea removed therefrom andmainmise@ irlformal @audition by said inserting heed,- arld'sssfied'n@tra held in registre-i tion la" Seis bex .resister means.

2- .1i-meshing 'i911 fplmms arid inserting nartions in boxes .comprisinga holder for a supply of partitions, a` forming plate spaced therefromand having a coniiguration` such as to vimpart the desired formation toa partition, a b ox supporting means spaced from said forming plate; areciprocable partition-fQllllg Suction head having a Surface shaped incorrespondence with the coniiguration of said: lforming plate and ai'`ranged i0l ply between said partition' Supply holder and said plate.areciprocable-partition-inserting suction head in tandem with saidformine head also having a surface shaped in correspondemos .with the.consuration .of said plate and arrangedto ply between said plate andsaid 190x .Suppe-,tine means., controlledsuction means associated with.seid beads and Seid rlatefand operable therewith to remove a` partition.from said supply holder, form .andMhol'd"said removed partition on'Said forming plate( el'oye Athe formed partition" from said plate,`maintain' said partition ,in formed condition* and insert said formedpartition within anbox on. said box sup-A porting"rneans.` W U 3". In amachine ofthe class described, a supply of box partitions, a platecontoured to impart a desired formation to said partitions, a suctionhead complementally contoured and adapted to co-operate with saidforming plate to conform a partition therebetween, said head beingreciprocable to transfer a partition from said supply into conformingposition with respect to said plate, a support for a box mounted inspaced relation from said forming plate, and a second suction headsynchronously reciprocable with said first-mentoned head and adapted totransfer a formed partition from said plate to a box and to insert saidformed partition therein.

4. In a machine of the class described, a supply of box partitions, aplate contoured to impart a desired formation to said partitions, asuction head complementally .contoured and adapted to co-operate withsaid forming plate to conform a partition therebetween, said head beingreciprocable to transfer a partition from said supply into conformingposition with respect to said plate, a support for a box mounted inspaced relation from said forming plate, a second suction f headsynchronously reciprocable with said rstmentioned head and adapted totransfer a formed partition from said plate to a box and to insert saidformed partition therein, and means for applying adhesive to certainportions of a formed partition during its transit from said formingplate to said box.

5. In a machine for forming and inserting partitions in boxes, a supplyof partitions, a support located at a point of insertion at a distancefrom said supply for supporting a box in partition receiving position, aforming station including a plate upon which the partitions are formedlocated between said partition supply and said point of insertion, anadhesive applying roller located between said partition forming stationand said point of insertion, a suction head for removing individualpartitions from said supply and having a face thereof that contacts thepartitions contoured conformably to said forming plate, means forshifting said suction head to move a partition carried thereby intoforming engagement with said plate, a second suction head for removingindividual formed partitions from said plate and having a face thereofcontoured to retain the partitions in formed position, means connectingsaid second suction head with the shifting means of said'`first-mentioned suction head effective to move a formed partitioncarried by said second suction head transiently into contact with andpast said adhesive applying roller to said point of insertion, and meansassociated with said suction head for effecting insertion of said formedand adhesively coated partition into said box.

6. In a machine for forming and inserting partitions in boxes, a suctionplate having spaced upstanding partition-forming projections, a suctionhead having a central portion movable into forming position between saidprojections to press a central portion of a said partition between theinner surfaces of said projections into a partially formed suction-heldposition on said plate, members slidably mounted on opposite sides ofsaid central portion of said head operable to press the outer ends ofsaid partition into completely formed suction-held position on saidplatefa second suction headV having a surface conformed to t said formedpartition operable to remove said partition from ksaid plate and insertsaid partition in a box, and means for synehronously moving said suctionheads into and 12 out of cooperative association with said suctionplate.

7.V In a machine of the class described, a supply of box partitions, aplate adapted to receive said partitions for forming, a first suctionmeans operable to remove a terminal partition from said supply and toform said removed partition on said plate, a supply of boxes, means foradvancing said boxes individually into partition-receiving position, asecond suction means conformed to t said formed partition and operableto remove the latter from said plate and to insert said formed partitionwithin a, box advanced to' partition-receiving position, means joiningsaid rst and second suction means, and means for imparting reciprocatingmovement to said joining means. l

8. In a machine of the class described, a supply stack of boxpartitions, a box support spaced therefrom, a box on said support, apartition forming plate intermediate said box support and said supplystack, and arpair of synchronously and reciprocably movable suctionheads substantially conforming in shape to said forming plate andsimultaneously operable respectively, to remove a terminal partitionfrom said supply stack and a formed partition from said plate andsimultaneously and respectively transfer and deposit said removedterminal partition and said formed partition on said plate and in saidbox.

9. In a machine of the class described, a supply stack of boxpartitions, a box support spaced therefrom having a box thereon, apartition forming plate intermediate said box support and said supplystack, a pair of synchronously and reciprocably movable suction headssubstantially conforming in shape to said forming plate andsimultaneously operable respectively to remove a terminal partition fromsaid supply stack and a formed partition from said plate andsimultaneously and respectively transfer and deposit said removedterminal partition and said formed partion on said plate and in saidbox, and means for feeding and registering boxes, one after another,into partition-receiving position onV said support.

10. In a box partition forming and inserting machine, means forconveying a partition from one terminal position over a predeterminedpath to another terminal position and for inserting said partition in abox at said latter position, means including said conveying means as apart thereof operable to bend and form said partition at a point in saidpath intermediate said terminal positions, and means for applyingadhesive to a surface of said partition following said bending andforming operation and before inserting said formed partition in a box atsaid other terminal position.

f JAMES B. THAXTON.

REFERENCES CITED The -following references are of record in the file 'ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,912,733 Simmons June 6, 19331,947,610 McNamara Feb. 20,'1934 1,337,803 Deline Dec. 28, 19432,397,582 Watt Apr. 2, 1946 2,454,556 Hirst Nov; 23, 1948 2,472,441Schmitt June 7, 1949

